Charles l



Patented Sept. 27, |898.

C. L. CURTIS.

HARMONICA.

(Application led A pr. 1, 1898.\

(No Moddl.)

UNITED STATES CHARLES L.

PATENT OEEICE.

CURTIS, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO FERDINAND STRAUSS, OF SAME PLACE.

HARMONICA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,237, dated September 27', 1898. Application filed April l, 1898. Serial No. 676,036. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. CURTIS, of New York city, countyand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Innprovements in Harmonicas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a harmonica of novel construction, and more particularly to novel means for attaching the covers to the body of the instrument. I form a groove in each end of the cell-block to engage an inwardly-turned iiange of the cover. The cover is secured in place by being drawn from the front or back over Jthe cell-block, with its iiange entering and confined within the groove. In this way a reliable connection is formed which closes the harmonica entirely at the ends and, moreover, avoids'the objectionable exposed edges of the covers found in those harmonicas in which the covers slide in longitudinal ways of the cell-block.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved harmonica;

Fig. 2, an end view of the same; Fig. 3, a cross-section on line 3 3, Fig. l; Fig. 4l, a rear view of the harmonica; Fig. 5, a front view thereof; Fig. 6, an enlarged cross section showing one of the covers partly withdrawn Fig. 7, a side view of the cell-block, showing one of the reed-plates partly broken away; and Fig. 8, a perspective view of one of the covers.

The letter d represents the cell-block of the harmonica, carrying on each side the usual reed-plate b. Along each end I form in the cell-block, back of the reed-plate, a transverse groove a', extending from the frontto the rear of the instrument. The covers c have inwardly-extending or curved ends c', terminating in flanges c2, which are adapted to be received by the grooves d'. At the front each cover terminates in an inwardly extending or curved nose c3, the edge of which is adapted to engage a longitudinal groove b', formed near the forward edge of the reed-plate l).

To the noseV c3 a spring-like action is preferably imparted, so that by snapping into its groove ZJ' it will securely lock the cover in place. To this effect I have shown the nose to be detached at its ends from the body of the cover by the diagonal incisions c4, which impart to the nose an independent spring action.

To secure the covers, they are slipped from the front or rear over the reed-plates, with the flanges c2 entering the grooves d', until the edge of the spring-nose c3 snaps into its seat b', when the cover will be securely held in place. In a corresponding manner the cover may be readily removed, if access to the reeds is to be obtained.

It will be seen that with my improved construction the ends of the harmonica are entirely closed, Fig. 2, and that still the covers are secured to the cell-blockin a removable manner. Thus the finish and beauty of the instrument are increasedv and the objectionable raw edges heretofore generally found on removable covers are entirely obviated.

vWhat I claim isl. A harmonica composed of a cell-block having transverse grooves at its ends, and of covers having iianged ends adapted to engage said grooves, substantially as specified.

2. A harmonica composed of a cell-block having transverse grooves at its ends, and of covers havingV inwardly-extending flanged ends adapted to engage said grooves, substantially as specified.

3. A harmonica composed of a cell-block having transverse grooves at its ends, and of covers having inwardly extending flanged ends adapted to engage said grooves, and an inwardly extending nose, substantially as specified.

Ll. A harmonica composed of a cell-block having transverse grooves at its ends, reedplates having a longitudinal groove, and cov-v ers having end flanges adapted to engage the transverse grooves, and aspring-nose adapted to engage the longitudinal groove, substantially as specified.

CHARLES L. CURTIS.

Vitnesses:

FERDINAND SrRAUss, FRANK v. BRIEsEN. 

